HAPPY FEBRUARY GOOD PEOPLE!!
Originally posted 23, Feb 2015
We are well into the New Year, and what a perfect time to reflect on the direction and progress toward our 2015 goals.
I hope that you are still holding strong to those advancements. If not, let's use this time to take inventory, pray, and course correct. It is important to make sure that the goals we have prayerfully sought, are then measured to the Word. After all, as we make our plans, we would really want to invite God to direct our steps. (Proverbs 16:9).
So how do you do that- one may ask?
In this blog let's take a look at one of the most common goals that appeared on social media:
Finance. Often, when discussing New Year's resolutions and finance, we hear themes like paying off of large bills, desires to save more money, desire to get out of debt, making of a large purchase, and the list goes on. This is a great start! For any goal, you want to begin by clearly thinking through your plans. Set aside time to envision what is your desired result. Is it practical? Timely? Once you have given thought to this, and see yourself at the finish line, now you are ready for the next stage.
Next is praying for that goal. More strategically, ask God if this is what he wants you focused on right now. Engage Him and ask for how you should go about it. Search the scriptures for insight to help strengthen your faith through confession and to renew your mind for that topic. In the Word we learn that Jesus died to leave us with one of the most powerful resources possible in that of the Holy Spirit. (John 16: 5-7).
As you ask for guidance on what areas to focus on in your finances, involve the Holy Spirit as your personal guide. He will definitely answer and steer us in the right direction as we are open to listen and receive. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (John 16:13)"
Next, it is important to write down your goals and plans to achieve them. Think of it as a blueprint or a map. In the world of finance this is called a budget. "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it'" (Habakuk 2:2 ESV)
As we can see above, It is critical for every home to operate with a purpose and therefore a written budget is not a want, but a requirement for a successful financial plan. As you write down your monthly obligations, be realistic. If you know that you like to do to go out for dinner once a week, budget it! Don't wait and have to be surprised when you are short on the light bill because of excursions with friends. Make sure to write down ALL of your bills, groceries, tithes and offering, transportation, entertainment, and don't forget savings. Once all bills are down, add all of your monthly income, and then subtract your obligations. This will give you an accurate picture of where you money goes.
If your goal is paying off a credit card, you may need to sacrifice a lunch here or there to increase your monthly payment, and pay that card off faster. Along with this, put down an actual date and amount for each goal.
For example you can write down "payoff XX by November 20xx".
Working this plan and keeping it in front of your eyes will make it easy to "run" with and accomplish your set goals.
For our final tip of the month
successful money habits should always include giving. The best analogy to use/borrow is that of a farmer. A farmer will spend lots of time planning out what crops are desired and gathering necessary supplies. But the single most important thing they do is to pair faith with action, and actually put seed into fertilized and good soil. For Christians this is really using our money and talents (among other things) to help further the fruit of the Kingdom.
We are challenged by God to release at least 10% back to His work within the church. Being that God gave us the opportunity to have our needs met, this is nothing. When we give of our talents, resources, money, with an open heart, we actually ensure that we don't hold onto these things too tightly. We are free to keep our focus on the value of He that gave to us, and not the actual resource itself. God is so good that He even promises to honor our commitment with more blessings!!
The point is this:
“whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully"
(2 Corinthians 9:6)
So to recap starting off a strong financial plan:
1. Vision what you want to accomplish. Seek God through prayer in this area. Then set your goal
2. Write down your goal with specific time frames and practical steps of completion asking for help from the Holy Spirit
3. Create a realistic budget including everything- it's better to overestimate and save the extra than to find yourself short
4. Run with it!!!!
5. Review your plan often and make adjustments as needed
B. Loved